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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 10, 2007 - 11 Police internship is eye-opening experience By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A member of Halton's black community is experiencing a prolonged encounter with the police and she's enjoying every minute of it. Oakville resident Danielle Pitt, 20, is in the middle of a six-week internship with the Halton Regional Police Service during which time she has accompanied front-line officers out on their patrols, listened to real 911 calls as they've happened and met with Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell for a one on one. "So far I've found it to be a very beneficial experience," said Pitt. "Everyone here has been very friendly, supportive and welcoming." The opportunity for Pitt to intern with Halton police came about through Black Youth in Action, a project led by the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH) that seeks to develop leadership skills and qualities among Halton's black youth for the purpose of creating community leaders. In an extension of this program, Pitt was selected to work alongside Halton police in the six-week internship role. "Veronica Tyrrell, president of the CCAH, wanted to continue the leadership development opportunities and provide a youth with the opportunity to go through what it would be like to enter the workforce, to go through formal behavioural interviews, to undergo an application process," said Sgt. Nishan Duraiappah, Pitt's supervisor. "The six-week internship with the police service is intended to develop written communications skills, organizational planning skills, initiative, leadership and promote autonomous working." In addition to skill development for one of their potential community leaders, the CCAH is hoping the internship will help to forge a stronger relationship between police and the black community. "She can come back and relate to the group her experiences and what she was able to bring to them and what she got out of it," said Tyrrell. "She will stimulate their interest and help them understand that this is the way you work with police and this is what you can get out of that relationship. She will be that ambassador, she will be that mentor to the other youth." Halton's Chief of Police was no less enthusiastic about the prospect of such a relationship. "Our partnership with the CCAH is a perfect example of the police and community working together for a common goal. We all strive to build a strong future for our youth, and to keep our community a safe and healthy place for us to live," said Crowell. Working with the police was a chance Pitt welcomed. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER LEARNING ON THE JOB: Danielle Pitt, 20, is interning with the Halton Regional Police through Black Youth in Action under the direction of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH). Behind her are Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell and Staff Sgt. Larry Mason. "It looked like a great opportunity. I could definitely learn something that I could use in different work situations down the road," she said. The internship, however, is not just a one-way street, as the police intend to get something out of it as well, hence their choice of Pitt as their intern. "She already possesses many skills that we as a police service find very useful," said Duraiappah. "For example her ability to navigate with computers, Photoshop, her marketing skills, her independence, her written and spoken communication skills are at a level that we would find very beneficial for her to run with certain projects and initiatives." One example of Pitt's contributions can be seen in the graffiti eradication See Youth page 12 Allegro central vacuum Allegrocentral vac systems systems HURRY! FOR EVEN MORE SAVINGS Make your purchase with No G.S.T. until end of August Only! Buy Factory Direct and Save YOUR MONEY! We Carry a Wide Range of Power Units, Attachments and Accessories for all your Cleaning Needs 1338 SPEERS ROAD, OAKVILLE 905.825.3995 · www.allegrovacuums.com WE WANT YOUR SERVICE European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship Oil & Filter Change Tire Rotation Tire Rotation & Balance Coolant Flush Brake Fluid Flush Brake Pad Replacement (front or rear) Battery Replacement $49.95 $19.95 from $49.95 from $79.95 from $89.95 $152.95 starting at $159.95 "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266 *Some restrictions apply and all taxes extra. Offer expires August 31, 2007. VOLVO OF OAKVILLE 770 Pacific Road 905-825-8088 | service@volvoofoakville.com